Some novel travel suggestions for summer reading!

There's nothing like a good book to take you away somewhere and holidays are often the only time many people get to read these days. With so many books to chose from often many good reads join the long list of 'to be read' while we are distracted to read the newest books on the shelves. That's why I've picked three books that have been around for a while. They have been made into movies but there is a different experience to be enjoyed from flicking through the pages of a novel and conjuring up images in your own head.
I've picked three books set in three different destinations that are popular all year around and even if you are not going to these places, reading these books may well inspire your next trip.
We discussed these books on Midday on Tuesday 26th July and you can see the clip here Midday TV3 discussing Novel Travel

Parc Guell Barcelona

First up is Barcelona and the book I chose to give a reader that sense of place is The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon.

Set in post civil war Spain the main character Daniel Sempere is brought to an old library called the cemetery of forgotten books by his father where he is allowed to take only one book. The book inspires the young boy to find out more about the author and it brings him on an adventure where he finds love and danger but it takes the reader to many of Barcelona's great sights.
There is a fully guided tour available which will give fans of the book a chance to relive Daniel's footsteps. /The-Shadow-of-the-Wind-Walking-Book-Tour-in-Barcelona
Barcelona is a great city to take the kids to visit. A big hit with my son was the Nou Camp stadium, home to Barcelona FC. Another treat for all the family or romantic couples is Parc Guell. The Spanish architect Gaudi is responsible for much of the magical architecture around the city and it will amaze even the most reluctant sightseer.

My son, Mark in Nou Camp

If you have time the red bus tour takes about two hours and really gives a sense of the enormity of this city and will help to get your bearings. But if you would rather just relax then a stroll along the ramblas and stop off for churros and hot chocolate - the kids will love you for it.

Las Ramblas

A landmark restaurant in the Gothic Quarter that will transport you to a cultural feats is 4 Cats where artists like Picasso and Gaudi hung out in the early twentieth century.
If you are heading to one of the popular resorts close to Barcelona then it is worth even taking a day trip to this beautiful city.
For more information see Spanish Tourist Board
Barcelona pops up in my novel Six Postcards Home - in fact it opens in a scene in the Placa Reial - if you would like to take a read it's available on amazonSix-Postcards-Home

Few places capture the imagination like Rome with all its romance and ceremony. I've picked a book that has been around a long and time. Dan Brown has certainly had his critics over the years but he did something similar for books as JK Rowling did with the Harry Potter series and got people reading. Any author that has people turning pages rapidly is incredibly talented.

 Angels and Demons is the second in the Robert Langdon series and I think one of the best reads to find your way around Rome.

Vatican city , St Peter's Basillica

The plot takes readers at break neck speed around Vatican City, The Castel San Angelo and The Piazza Navonna which is easily my favourite place to people watch in Rome. If you have plans to visit there is so much to do with incredibly food and the best handbag shopping you will ever find.

Piazza Navonna

Rome has so much to offer the lover of art and culture and must sees include the Colloseum and Trevi Fountain mean that you can be busy running around the city trying to fit it all in - much like Robert Langdon. I recommend taking a slower pace and leaving something to return to for next time.

Trevi Fountain credit FOTOTECA ENIT.

CARACALLA THERMAL BATHS OPERA SEASON IN ROME

Rome 22 Jun – 10 Aug 2016

www.operaroma.it

This year the Caracalla Opera Season will present a rich programme of opera and ballet in the magnificent Caracalla Thermal Baths in Rome. The spectacular backdrop will enhance the enjoyment of operas such as: Nabucco, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Madame Butterfly and ballet such as Nureyev tribute and a recital by the acclaimed dancer Roberto Bolle. Performances by the Chinese pianist Lang Lang, and legends like Lionel Ritchie and Neil Young are also in the programme.   This year, with the MyCaracalla initiative it is also possible to combine a guided visit to the Caracalla Thermal baths at night and a gourmet aperitif before an opera or ballet of your choice.

My last novel is set in Rome and if you would like to read a sample click here amazon.co.uk/7-Wishes-Rome-Irish-Fiction

For more information about visiting Italy go to http://www.italiantouristboard.co.uk/

My final recommendation is a book that isn't one of my favourites but the premise is similar in theme and style to many of the great women writers we have produced in Ireland, if this book had been writing by Maeve Binchy or one of the many other strong women writers such as Melissa Hill or Colette Caddle it may not have had such literary recognition. But it is a good story about a very real time in our history and a character that will resonate with many readers who have experienced emigration. It takes the reader back to Wexford too which is still a popular summer destination for those who holiday at home.

Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn is one of the five Burroughs that makes up New York city. Traditionally the Irish have a history of congregating around mid-town Manhattan for our weekend visits but here is so much more to see and if you are taking a second or third bite of the big apple then make some time to explore one of the other Burroughs. One of the best views of Manhattan is from Brooklyn, framed by the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge. The Bus tour from Manhattan is a great way to cross the Hudson River and see the area from best advantage.

Beautiful Brownstone houses in the Cobble Hill district

This time of year is lovely in New York and it is also NYC Restaurant Week. If you are in town why not try out one of the 387 participating restaurants. In its 24th year, NYC Restaurant Week takes place this summer from July 25 through August 19 and features 49 new restaurants. For menus, photos and reservations visit nycgo.com/restaurantweek.

Coney Island is part of the Burrough of Brooklyn and home of the New York Aquarium and Luna Park fairground.

Coney Island Beach

One memorable scene in the novel is when Eilis goes on her first trip to Coney Island and see the world through her new sunglasses while sporting her swimsuit. It's difficult to imagine what life was like for her but it is easy to be transported back in time in this popular beach resort where the locals come to swim in the sea. Take time out on one of the fairground rides at Luna Park.

Luna Park Fairground Coney Island

 If you would rather a more sedate activity then the Botanic Gardens are beautiful and well worth a visit, especially in April and May when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. 

For all you need to know about visiting Brooklyn or any of the New York suburbs go to NYCGO.com

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

Some great deals with Tour America at the moment include a stay at the hotel Beacon which is my favourite place to stay in Manhattan touramerica.ie/packages

Probably my favourite book baby is Three Nights in New York - written in 2008! .amazon.co.uk/Three-Nights-New-York-

NYC RESTAURANT WEEK RESERVATIONS OPEN TODAY FOR DINING DEALS AT A RECORD-SETTING 387 RESTAURANTS

—NYC & Company’s Signature Dining Program Returns
July 25 through August 19—  

New York City (July 11, 2016) — NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, encourages diners to book now for NYC Restaurant Week Summer 2016 at one of the 387 participating restaurants. In its 24th year, NYC Restaurant Week takes place this summer from July 25 through August 19 and features 49 new restaurants. For menus, photos and reservations visit nycgo.com/restaurantweek.

“With nearly 400 participating restaurants to choose from in over 40 neighborhoods serving more than 30 cuisines, there are more options than ever for diners to eat up in the dining capital of the world,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Supporting one of NYC’s most important industries, NYC Restaurant Week boosts business during a typically slower season while providing diners the perfect reason to experience new restaurants or return to their favorites at a fraction of the cost.”

NYC Restaurant Week Summer 2016 by the numbers:

• 3 course prix-fixe lunches for $29*
• 3 course prix-fixe dinners for $42*
• Record-setting 387 participating restaurants
• 30+ cuisines
• 49 new restaurants and 338 returning restaurants
• More than 40 neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island
• 26 days (July 25–August 19)
• More than 29,000 posts on Instagram using #NYCRestaurantWeek

                                                           *(excluding beverages, gratuities and taxes)

Among the restaurants participating in NYC Restaurant Week for the first time are Alfredo 100, Almond Tribeca, American Cut Midtown, Bagatelle, Beaubourg at Le District, Becco, Black Barn Restaurant, Bobo, Bocca Di Bacco in Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen, Brasserie Séoul, Bull and Bear Prime Steakhouse, Buttermilk Channel, Capri Ristorante, Charlie Palmer at the Knick, Chazz Palminteri Ristorante Italiano, City Crab Shack, Club A Steakhouse, Craft Restaurant, Danji, Empire Steak House East 50th Street, Frankie & Johnnie's Steakhouse West 46th Street, Goggan, Il Postino, Il Riccio, Irvington Bar + Restaurant, John Dory Oyster Bar, Kingside, La Chine, La Pecora Bianca, Lincoln Square Steak, Megu, Mulino a Vino, Osteria Laguna, Perrine, Reserve Cut, Rowland's Bar & Grill, Sabbia at Birreria, Strand Bistro, Sushi Seki Bar & Oysters, The Breslin Bar & Dining Room, The Clocktower, The Shakespeare. Tuome, Vandal, Vaucluse, Virginia's, Wollensky's Grill and Zero Otto Nove.

The first and largest dining program of its kind, NYC Restaurant Week welcomes back longstanding participating restaurants such as 21 Club, Delmonico’s, Shun Lee Palace, Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, Nobu, Tribeca Grill, Tavern on The Green and the Russian Tea Room.

“Summer is a festive time in NYC, and our culinary community provides an engaging setting for our guests and their families, friends, and colleagues to have a meaningful dining experience. We look forward to providing the quality, variety, and hospitality that makes New York City the dining capital of the world,” said Tracy Nieporent, Chairman of NYC & Company’s Restaurant Committee.

Returning this summer is an exclusive offer for American Express® Card Members. Card Members can enroll any eligible American Express® Card, use their Card to spend $35 or more at any participating restaurant and get a $5 statement credit up to four times. To learn more and enroll in this offer, visit www.americanexpress.com/nycrestaurantweek. Terms apply.

NYC Restaurant Week is promoted through exclusive content on nycgo.com; out-of-home media in the five boroughs; print and digital advertising, including promotion through media partner Time Out New York; commercials running in NYC taxicabs and on Toshiba Vision in Times Square; and through social media posts using #NYCRestaurantWeek.

About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.

Heading Stateside with the kids this summer? Get On Yer Bike!

Venice Beach

Walking and sightseeing can be a chore for teens and tweens but put them on a bike and it becomes an adventure. All of these five US cities have really great bike tours. You won't be disappointed and the kids will LOVE IT!

Mark and Nicole on Venice Beach

LA

Take a walk past Santa Monica Pier to Perry's, an icon of the beach scene for nearly forty years. Perry's have twelve cafes dotted along the coast from Santa Monica to Venice Beach. A cycle is a great way to take in the views. I recommend rental by the hour rather than a tour because once we got to Venice Beach the kids wanted to stop at the stalls and soak up the atmosphere. The kids loved this windy cycle path even though we had to dodge the roller-skaters along the way. The last of the hippies and hells angels gather here and there are funky cafes to stop by for a break. Two hours is long enough to take in the cacophony of music and it's five dollars to visit the freak show or get a henna tattoo.

Bike and Roll Washington DC

Washington DC

The Bike and Roll Tour (39$ for adults 29$ for kids) is the very best way to visit the presidential monuments. Fully guided, the tour took us past The White House, Washington Monument and down National Mall from Lincoln to Jefferson down by the Potomac River. The Einstein statue outside the Science Museum was a great stop and I made sure my son rubbed the statues nose to ensure wisdom to help him with his studies.

Jefferson Memorial Washington DC

Boston

Urbanadventours is the best way to see the city of Boston from Fenway Park through the Emerald necklace and back to The Freedom Trail. The City Tour is good for kids over ten-years as it does involve going on cycle lanes in the city centre and can be busy. It takes three hours and costs $55. www.urbanadventours.com

 

Urbanadventours Boston

New York

Take a bike or quadcycle around Central Park. A quadcycle is $35 per hour and the perfect amount of time to leisurely see the lake and the sights. Kids love to be on the move so this is a great way to get to see the Alice in Wonderland statue, Strawberry fields and the chess and checker house. www.bikenewyorkcity.com

Times Square New York

San Francisco

The very best way to see the bridge and absorb the breathtaking view of San Francisco Bay is by bike. It is a long cycle but the kids won't be board. A guided tour takes up to three hours and ends at the pretty town of Sausalito where we stopped for lunch and took a ferry ride back to the city. www.baycitybike.com. Tours are $55 dollars per person but you can do this without a guide and rent by the hour.

Golden Gate to Sausalito

NYC & COMPANY SPOTLIGHTS NEW YORK CITY’S NEW FOOD HALLS

New York City (June 20, 2016) —NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, invites visitors and locals to discover New York City’s new and trending food halls, featuring an array of dining possibilities, from casual eats to high-end restaurant offerings.   

“New York City’s food halls are an exciting way to experience the City’s vibrant and evolving food scene,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “From new openings like TurnStyle and The Pennsy to mainstays like Chelsea Market and Grand Central Market, there are so many fantastic food hall options to choose from, giving visitors more reasons to return again and again.”

New York City has long been home to popular food markets like Arthur Avenue Retail Market, Chelsea Market, Eataly, Grand Central Market and Gotham West. In addition to these iconic places, the City is experiencing a trend in the rise of food halls, celebrating cuisines from around the world.  

Highlights of recent openings include:

Berg’n: Since opening in 2015, the Brooklyn-based food hall in Crown Heights has quickly emerged as a local hotspot for its trendy food offerings. Visitors and locals can sample tasty burritos at El Meat Hook, Filipino-inspired cuisine at Lumpia Shack and pulled pork and brisket at Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque. Led by the founders of Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasburg, Berg’n is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Visit bergn.com for more information.

City Kitchen at Row NYC: The Times Square food court, located within the Row NYC Hotel, opened in March 2015 and features a diverse collection of vendors such as Azuki Sushi, Dough, Gabriela’s Taqueria, ilili Box, Kuro Obi ramen, Luke’s Lobster and Whitman’s New York. For more information visit citykitchen.com.

Hudson Eats: The upscale dining terrace located in Lower Manhattan’s Brookfield Place features many of New York City’s top casual eateries, including Black Seed Bagel, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar, Chop’t, Dig Inn, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, Num Pang, Skinny Pizza, Sprinkles and Umami Burger. The 30,000-square-foot space provides seating for up to 600 guests and offers views of the Hudson River and Statue of Liberty. Additional information can be found at brookfieldplaceny.com.

Le District: Brookfield Place is also home to an authentic French shopping district serving artisanal French foods. The 30,000-square-foot space boasts a brasserie-style restaurant called Beaubourg, the Market and Garden District offering French groceries, and a café where guests can snack on chocolate, coffee, macarons and croissants. Visitbrookfieldplaceny.com for more information. 

The Pennsy: Just steps from Madison Square Garden, the high-end food hall is home to vendors The Cinnamon Snail, Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, Mario by Mary, Lobster Press and The Little Beet. The space also includes an indoor dining lounge, an outdoor patio space and a full cocktail bar serving daily happy hour and new drink specials throughout the week. For more information visit thepennsy.nyc.

Queens Night Market: The large, family-friendly open-air night market in Queens features independent vendors selling merchandise, art and food that celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the borough. The market is located outside the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and currently runs every Saturday through August 20^th. The market is open from 6:00 pm through Midnight. For a complete list of upcoming vendors visit queensnightmarket.com.

UrbanSpace Vanderbilt: Less than a five-minute walk from Grand Central Terminal, the Midtown food hall features over 20 artisanal and chef-driven food concepts, including notable Brooklyn pizza joint Roberta’s, popular doughnut chain Dough and the Red Hook Lobster Pound. Additional information can be found at urbanspacenyc.com.  

TurnStyle: Manhattan’s new underground food hall and retail space located in the Columbus Circle subway station holds over 30 small restaurants and shops, including Blossom du Jour, Bolivian Llama Party, Doughnuttery, Dylan’s Candy Bar, The Pizza and Yong Kang Street. A MetroCard is not required to gain access to the market. Visitors can enter at Columbus Circle or 57th Street and Eighth Avenue. Visit turn-style.com for the complete list of shops and restaurants. 

Upcoming in 2016: 
Eataly: The popular Italian marketplace, home to restaurants, food and beverage counters, a bakery, retail items and cooking classes is expected to open a 40,000-square-foot outpost at 4 World Trade Center later this year. Visit eataly.com for additional information.       
The Great Northern Food Hall: In early summer 2016, internationally acclaimed chef Claus Meyer will open a Nordic-inspired food hall inside Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall. The 5,000-square-foot space’s offerings will include baked goods, granola and Danish open-faced rye sandwiches called smørrebrød. For updates, visit grandcentralterminal.com. 

Gotham Market at The Ashland: Gotham West Market, the day and night dining destination in Hell’s Kitchen, will be opening a new location this fall inside The Ashland in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene. The 16,000-square-foot space will have a pop-up place for local chefs and restaurateurs, in addition to full-time food vendors like Apizza Regionale (Italian fare), Flip Bird (rotisserie chicken), Mu Ramen (bowls of noodles, burgers and Japanese snacks) and popular Midtown barbeque restaurant Mason Jar. Visit gothamwestmarket.com for more information. 

Upcoming in 2017:
Bourdain Market: American chef and television personality Anthony Bourdain will be opening a 155,000-square-foot international food market on Manhattan’s Pier 57 in 2017, which would make it the largest food hall in New York City. Complete details have not been announced, although the space will reportedly feature over 100 vendors from around the globe. For more information visit bourdainmarket.com.

Empire Outlets Marketplace (MRKTPL): Scheduled to open in November 2017, Empire Outlets will become New York City’s first shopping outlet, located in Staten Island’s waterfront St. George district and featuring 100 shops of the finest brands. Within the complex, an innovative artisanal food market, called Marketplace (MRKTPL), will showcase the best local and international purveyors. It will be Staten Island’s first artisanal food hall. Visit empireoutletsnyc.com for more information.

Upcoming in 2018: 
The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards: When open in 2018, the Restaurant Collection at Hudson Yards will feature 12 luxury restaurants, including a steakhouse and American grill by chef Thomas Keller. The final 10 restaurants have not been confirmed, although Spanish chef José Andrés and Greek seafood chef Costas Spiliadis will reportedly be adding outposts to the collection. For updates visit hudsonyardsnewyork.com. 

for more information see www.nycgo.com

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are Family Ambassadors to New York

NYC & COMPANY AND NICKELODEON ANNOUNCE THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

AS NEW YORK CITY’S OFFICIAL FAMILY AMBASSADORS

—New York City Welcomed Approximately 17.5 Million Family Visitors in 2015, Increased by a Third Since the Launch of the Family Ambassador Program in 2009—

—In Time for Summer Travel, the First Phase of the Campaign Will Encourage Summer Travel to New York City—

What a brilliant plan by NYCGO.com My son loved the Turtles when he was little and New York is a great destination for all kids big and small. Read about it here...

New York City (April 20, 2016) —NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, together with Nickelodeon, announced the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the newest Official NYC Family Ambassadors—part of a yearlong campaign to highlight New York City as a family-friendly destination. In 2015 New York City welcomed an estimated 17.5 million family visitors, a nearly two percent projected increase over 2014, and family travel to NYC is expected to continue to grow in 2016 to reach approximately 17.7 million family visitors. Since the launch of the Family Ambassador program in 2009, family visitation to New York City has grown by 32.6 percent and is currently 30 percent of total visitation to New York City. For kid-friendly NYC travel materials, guides and itineraries, visit nycgo.com/family.

“Last year we saw a record number of visitors here in New York City thanks to our various attractions and the art and entertainment that can be found around every corner of every street in every borough. Most importantly, however, are the 17.5 million family visitors who came to this city to expose their children and relatives to the diverse culture this City offers. Furthermore, the city’s public spaces and parks make it an ideal place for families to bond and strengthen their relationships. I invite all families to New York so that we can share with you all we have to offer,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“We’re excited to enlist the help of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, four dynamic and adventurous New Yorkers, to welcome family travelers to NYC,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Known by visitors from around the world, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the perfect guides to help families discover the vibrancy and excitement throughout the five boroughs.”

Families visiting NYC during the summer can take advantage of seasonal events including SummerStage Kids, Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, the US Open Tennis Championships and more. In addition, free and low-cost outdoor activities in NYC’s parks, along NYC’s waterfronts and beyond add to the attractiveness of visiting NYC during the summer.

“As native New Yorkers, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the perfect choice to encourage visitors from around the globe to find their own adventures in the city that never sleeps,” said Pam Kaufman, Chief Marketing Officer and President of Consumer Products, Nickelodeon. “We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with NYC & Company, which leverages our beloved characters to showcase the best of what New York City has to offer for kids and families.”

Currently in its fourth season, Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is seen in over 170 countries and territories and translated in 50+ languages. The series follows four mutant turtles—Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo—trained in the art of ninjutsu by their mutant rat sensei, Master Splinter, who teaches them to battle evil from the New York City sewers. The series’ executive producers are Ciro Nieli and Brandon Auman, and it is created at Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California. Additionally, this summer the turtles will once again defend the streets of New York City in Paramount Pictures’ highly anticipated theatrical movie Teenage MutantNinja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, which arrives in theaters June 3.

The Official NYC Family Ambassador campaign will be promoted through out-of-home media in the five boroughs, Boston, Chicago, and 23 shopping malls in America; social media engagement using the hashtag #nycgofamily; TV commercials running in NYC taxicabs; and additional activations throughout the year.

The Family Ambassador program was created in 2009 to help position New York City as a welcoming family-friendly destination, encourage families to visit year-round and invite those who have already visited New York City to return and enjoy all of the new attractions the City has to offer. The Teenage Mutant Nina Turtles are the eighth Family Ambassador after Dora and Friends in 2015, Curious George in 2014,Where’s Waldo? in 2013, The Muppets in 2012, The Smurfs in 2011, Dora the Explorer in 2010 and Sesame Street in 2009.

For more details on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ambassador campaign, visit nycgo.com/family. Follow @nycgo_press on Twitter for the latest information about New York City travel

and tourism.

Short Break ideas to the USA with Tour America

Short Break ideas to the USA with Tour America

It's that time of year when the January Blues set in and summer seems too far away. That's why a short break can sometimes lift the spirits in more ways than one. It can even be educational as I found when I took my son to Boston recently. I've been sent some really good deals and great ideas for packages to Washington, New York and Boston. I've been to all three of these cities with my son and they each have so much to do with teens and tweens - food for thought for a mid-term break too!

On Top of the Rock in New York with my tween boy in 2013
See www.nycgo.com

Washington when Mark was the same height as me
www.washington.org

My boy has grown so much but he still likes to get away with his mum!
www.massholidays.ie

Go to the Tour America website to see more package deals and ideas

www.touramerica.ie Dublin on 01 8173500 or Cork on 021 242 9222
Boston 3 nights March €795New York 3 nights February €679 Washington 3 nights February €609


Tour AmericaBoston & Salem from €795 per person
Includes
Direct return flights with Aer Lingus to Boston, All taxes and charges
2 Nights accommodation Hilton Boston Back Bay
1 Night accommodation Salem Waterfront Hotel
Date of departure: March 2016
Our reference: 501490

New York fr€679 per person
Price Includes
Return direct flight from Dublin - JFK with Aer Lingus
3 Nights accommodation The Hotel Metro including free continental breakfast
Based on 2 sharing
Date of departure: 26 Feb 2016
Our Ref: 504003

Washington fr€609 per personPrice Includes
Return direct flight from Dublin - Dulles  with United Airlines
3 Nights accommodation The Embassy Row Hotel
Based on 2 sharing
Date of departure: 26 Feb 2016
Our Ref: 504008

Go to the Bronx and live like a local - New York!

NYC & COMPANY ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO EXPLORE THE BRONX’S ARTHUR AVENUE AND BELMONT

—Documentary Film Provides Visitors with an Insider’s Guide to the Italian Enclave and Neighbourhood Cultural Gems—

NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organisation, today announced its most recent effort to increase tourism in the Bronx with a neighbourhood spotlight on Arthur Avenue and Belmont as part of its NYCGO Insider Guide series. Featured in short-style documentary as part of the promotion, Arthur Avenue and Belmont offer visitors everything from authentic Italian delicacies to bucolic gardens to an animal oasis. To view the documentary and neighbourhood highlights including a map, visit nycgo.com/insiderguides.

 The Bronx

Click on this link to catch the video

“Affectionately known as New York City’s ‘real Little Italy,’ Arthur Avenue will make any visitor feel like they are in Italy with Italian shops, restaurants and specialty stores lining the streets,” said Marty Markowitz, NYC & Company’s Vice President of Borough Promotion and Engagement. “With nearby world-class attractions like the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden, we’re encouraging visitors to spend a day exploring the culturally and culinary rich Bronx.”

“Everyone knows that New York’s real Little Italy is in The Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “We have the best cannoli, world-class pizza and the most authentic Italian food, bar none. Arthur Avenue is one of the shining gems of the borough and is close to wonderful attractions like the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden. I welcome any tourist, from our great nation or from abroad, to come visit this wonderful neighbourhood and experience one of the great neighbourhood of New York City.”

Experience Arthur Avenue and Belmont Like a Local

• Attractions: The 265-acre world-famous Bronx Zoo has more than 6,000 animals that are housed in re-creations of their natural habitats. In addition to the year-round exhibits like the sea lion pool and African plains featuring lions, zebras and gazelles, this October the zoo celebrates Halloween with special Boo at the Zoo programming. Featuring more than a million plants on their 250-acre campus, The New York Botanical Garden is a favourite spot of New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world. On view until 1^st November 2015, Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life showcases Kahlo’s work and provides a look into her childhood garden.
• Bakeries and Cafés: For traditional Italian baked goods, DeLillo Cafe & Pastry Shop sells homemade Italian desserts, including cannolis, sfogliatelle and biscotti; and Madonia Brothers Bakery is a Sicilian bakery that sells traditional Italian desserts and savoury breads in flavours like jalapeño, provolone and black olive.
• Dining: A family-style restaurant known for large portions, Roberto’s Restaurant serves country-style Italian dishes. The team behind Roberto’s also owns Zero Otto Nove, a rustic Italian restaurant around the corner. Nearby, Pasquale’s Rigoletto transports visitors to Italy with its colourful murals and authentic menu of fettuccine Alfredo, gnocchi Bolognese and more.
• Shops: The Arthur Avenue Retail Market is home to recently opened shops and third-generation establishments where visitors can find a wide selection of cured meats, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables and boutique goods. Nearby, visitors can find fresh pasta and ravioli from Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles; homemade cheeses at the official mozzarella supplier of the New York Yankees, Casa Della Mozzarella; an impressive selection of fresh fish and shellfish atCosenza’s Fish Market; and a vast selection of quality meats at Biancardi’s. In addition, Teitel Brothers is a wholesale and retail gourmet Italian deli, which sells its quality ingredients, including cheeses, roasted peppers and oils to restaurants around the country.

Visitors looking to experience the Bronx for longer than an afternoon can stay at the Opera House Hotel in the South Bronx. The historic Bronx Opera House, a storied entertainment venue dating back to 1913, has been restored as a boutique hotel. The property has spacious rooms and amenities including flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi, plus a continental breakfast. For the best available rates at hotels throughout the five boroughs, visit nycgo.com/hotels and reserve through NYC & Company’s exclusive hotel booking partner, Booking.com.

NYCGO Insider Guides: Get to know our neighbourhoods

New York City is made up of five distinct boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. Formerly Neighborhood x Neighborhood, NYCGO Insider Guides, which debuted in March, spotlight a new neighbourhood each month. The video documentary series and editorial content take New Yorkers and visitors behind the scenes to introduce them to the character and characters that define some of New York City’s most fascinating neighbourhoods.

To view B-roll and photos of Arthur Avenue and Belmont in our media library, visit nycgo.com/press. Follow @nycgo_press on Twitter for the latest information about New York City travel and tourism.

Good news if you are heading to New York in September

New York City (September 8, 2015) – NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, encourages theatergoers to purchase Off-Broadway Week tickets, on sale today. As part of the biannual program, two-for-one tickets are available to 41 productions from September 21 to October 4. To purchase tickets and for additional details, visit nycgo.com/offbroadwayweek.

“We are excited to promote some of the best theatre the City has to offer, from comedies to interactive performances to musicals on this next iteration of Off-Broadway Week,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “We encourage visitors and New Yorkers to experience the diversity, energy and intimacy of an Off-Broadway production at half the cost.”

Shows participating in Off-Broadway Week Fall 2015:*

·       39 Steps

·       A Midsummer Night's Dream

·       The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

·       Avenue Q

·       The Berenstain Bears LIVE!

·       Bésame Mucho

·       Black Angels Over Tuskegee

·       Blue Man Group

·       The Christians

·       Clever Little Lies

·       Cloud Nine

·       Daddy Long Legs

·       Desire: An Evening of Plays Based on Six Stories by Tennessee Williams

·       Drunk Shakespeare

·       En el Tiempo de las Mariposas

·       The Fantasticks

·       Fondly, Collette Richland

·       Fuerza Bruta

·       Gazillion Bubble Show

·       Hell's Belles

·       The Humans

·       In Bed With Roy Cohn

·       Iphigenia in Aulis

·       La Nena Se Casa

·       Laugh It Up, Stare It Down

·       The Legend of Georgia McBride

·       The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

·       My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy

·       Naked Boys Singing!

·       The New Morality

·       NEWSical The Musical

·       Perfect Arrangement

·       Perfect Crime

·       Ruthless! The Musical

·       Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man

·       Sistas: the Musical

·       Sleepy Hollow The Musical

·       STOMP

·       That Bachelorette Show

·       Trip of Love

·       The Two Gentlemen of Verona

*Subject to availability. Blackout dates may apply.